• Chili Cook-Off
    With, perhaps, the most colorful table at the Chili Cook Off contest is the Fast Gun Chili best taste entry. That’s head chef Vernon Groce at right with Jerry Steed, at left, and Logan Groce helping.The table was Vernon’s first time to enter, and he s
  • Chili Cook-Off
    Three leaders of the Cass County Peace Officers Association pause for a moment at the main ticket table.The chili tasting has gotten under way Saturday. The leaders are, from left, Ethan Sartor who is vice president, Wayne Johnson who is president and Tar
  • Chili Cook-Off
    Nathan Bloodworth has set up under a shade tree with his chili cook off preparations under way. Bloodworth said this was his first time to enter the contest and that he was glad to support the Peace Officers Association. Other contestants in the backgroun

Chili Cook-Off

The Cass County Peace Officers Association knows how to have a good time with its annual chili cook off. On Saturday, some 15 contestants cooked their secret methods for making chili and had a good time socializing with others around the caboose park at the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We just want to keep this event growing, last year we had 10 contestants, this year 15,” said association treasurer Tara Daugherty. “All the money we makes goes to help the association and its work with the community.”

This year’s cook-off had the addition of several vendors with their tables of merchandise. An on-site raffle was held for someone to win a Pit Boss four burner griddle or a YKO 45-quart cooler.

The best chili was judged by three independent taste testers. A people’s choice award was also announced, and those who won received a cutting board, apron and medal.

“We want to get bigger so as to have something people will want to come to. It’s just $5 for a ticket that you can taste the chili all the two hour event long. Come join us next year. There’s just a $20 entrance fee. You can register at the Atlanta Chamber, the District Clerk’s office or the DPS office,” Daugherty concluded.